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| May 11, 2012 |
| Driver News: Six WKA Manufacturers Cup Series Wins and Counting for Zach Holden After Pittsburgh |
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 | Zach Holden out front in Komet Sportsman at Pittsburgh
(Photo: Sean Buur - Go Racing Magazine) |
Zach Holden is a hot driver in World Karting Association action and he proved it again this past weekend at Pittsburgh Int'l Race Complex, the site of round three of the 2012 WKA Mazda / Bridgestone Manufacturers Cup Series.
Holden captured a pair of CRG America Nationals triumphs at Pittsburgh, the popular western Pa., sprint track formerly known as BeaveRun, to bring his 2012 Man Cup total to six wins. After three rounds, Holden is the top junior winner in all of Man Cup and behind only senior driver Mason Chelootz as the top winning driver on the circuit.
With half the season down, Holden has won an astounding 40 percent of his starts. Most of those starting fields boast over 30 karts taking the green flag.
"We're really happy with the results and wins this season," the 11-year-old racer said. "Pittsburgh is a great track and we really wanted to win some races there and keep the momentum going. Our Arrow is working great and the Comet engines are very strong. I feel confident we can win every time we go on to the track."
Saturday recap
After a full day of Friday practice, Holden opened the weekend with a close second-place run to Leonardo Stoia in Cadet Final 1.
Things got interesting in the second Jr Sportsman feature of the day, Yamaha Sportsman 1. Holden and Stoia battled throughout the 13-lapper and came to the finish line on the final lap side by side. In a finish that couldn't have gotten much closer, Holden crossed the stripe 0.005 seconds in front of Stoia, according to official scoring.
There was some question as to which driver won the race, and after hours of deliberation that went well into Saturday evening, Holden was deemed the victor.
"What a race!" Zach said, reflecting on his first win of the event and fourth of the season. "I don't think it could have been any closer. Thankfully we came out on top."
Saturday's third Sportsman main - Komet Sportsman - saw Zach take a fourth-place finish in another close affair with Stoia, Braden Eves and Garrett Moran. Holden won the Pole Award in the division.
The Comet Kart Sales-backed Arrow pilot ended the day with three podiums - including a win - in three starts.
Sunday recap
Holden began the final day of competition with a sixth-place qualifying effort for Cadet Final 2 and a runner-up finish in the prefinal.
While ready to start on the outside of the front row for the Cadet Final 2 main, Holden's Arrow lost power as the field was coming to the green flag. Holden was forced to pull into the pits and miss the entire race, a rare misfortune for Holden during the 2012 season and the only blemish on an otherwise terrific weekend.
Looking for redemption later in the day, Holden hounded David Malukas throughout the Yamaha Sportsman 2 feature. Malukas looked to have the hungry Holden covered until Zach ducked to the inside with only a handful of corners remaining and shot past Malukas to win his second race of the weekend and complete a sweep the Yamaha Sportsman classes.
"We really wanted to close out the weekend with a win, especially after not being able to start the Cadet race," Holden said. "Thanks to my dad for all his hard work, Comet Kart Sales, Kyle Ludwick and KartSport North America."
On tap...
Next up for Holden is a May 18-20 date at Camden, Ohio's G&J Kartway for round two of the WKA Great Lakes Sprint Series. The next WKA Man Cup is July 6-8 at South Bend, Indiana's Michiana Raceway Park.
With half the season down, Holden is solidly in contention for a WKA Triple Crown championship, the most prestigious driver award in national-level karting.
Zach Holden is an 11-year-old go-kart racer from Greenfield, Indiana. He's a budding young star in the Cadet, Komet and Yamaha Sportsman classes in the WKA Manufacturer's Cup Series, his primary focus. He's also a regular in the Great Lakes Sprint Series and KRA Series at New Castle. Holden races Comet Racing Engines-powered Arrow chassis for his family-owned team. For more information on Zach Holden, contact Paul Holden at holdencycleworks@yahoo.com |
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